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Informaction Excellence • Innovation • Opportunity • Success

Davis Street Taree NSW 2430 T 6552 2588 F 6551 2005 E chatham-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au W www.chatham-h.schools.nsw.edu.au FB www.facebook.com/chathamhightaree

Issue 1 – Term 1, 2013

Chatham High School

How has 2013 started? Well, if you follow Chatham High School on Facebook, listen to Mr Presland on the radio, read the articles about the achievement of our students in the paper or watch the news stories about Chatham HS on TV, you would still only get a small slice of the many learning activities and opportunities on offer. This is a busy time for all teachers, students and parents. At the start of the term, our new Year 7 students were challenged to make new friends; they appear to be settling in well and enjoying their job as learners in the 21st century. I am very impressed with the feedback from teachers about the CHACE class, as well as all students who are on task and engaged with their studies.

Congratulations to Jeremy Miller, Dux of Chatham High School, 2012. Jeremy received the highest tertiary entrance score (ATAR) for the cohort who sat the HSC in 2012. Jeremy was also recognised for his academic success in a special ceremony held at Club Taree late in 2012 where he indicated his intention to study engineering at Newcastle University. Along with students from other schools in the Taree area, Jeremy was presented with a Club Taree Scholarship to assist in his studies. Well done, Jeremy.

I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Expo Night, an open evening at Chatham HS for prospective students and their families. Highlights for the evening included welcoming the large number of people who visited the school, the level of interest shown by parents and students in learning at this school, the buzz that went around the room during the slam poetry presentation by selected students and Luka Lesson, and the outstanding contribution made by all staff and students of Chatham HS involved in making the night a success. Well done for a great job!

Many thanks to Mr Wilson and Mr Bourke for another successful swimming carnival. Students and staff enjoyed mostly fine weather and we were able to run a full program of events.

The Learning Hub is a Homework Centre made possible by Norta Norta funding and is again in operation at the school on Monday and Thursday afternoons. This program supports students with assignments, assessment tasks and other school work and is making a difference for many of our students.

Finally, I am happy to report that the Manning Valley Learning Centre has started; this is a joint venture between Chatham, Taree, Wingham and Camden Haven High Schools to better meet the learning needs of students at risk of not connecting with basic education in the Taree area.

Well done to all involved, we look forward to a rewarding 2013.

Willem Holvast, Principal.

Calendar

Week 9

26 Mar School Cross Country 27 Mar Parent/Teacher Interviews, all Years 29 Mar Public Holiday – Good Friday

Week 10

1 Apr Public Holiday – Easter Monday 2-5 Apr HSC Half Yearly Exams 4 Apr Buckley Shield Rugby Day, Tuncurry

Week 11

8-11 Apr HSC Half Yearly Exams 10 Apr Zone Cross Country, Wingham 12 Apr LAST DAY OF TERM 1

WE WANT YOU! * Do you have bookkeeping experience? * Do you have experience with MYOB? * Do you know the wage system? * Do you have a few hours to spare per week?

If you answered yes, then we need you!

The P&C run canteen desperately needs the services of someone to be our ‘Canteen Treasurer’. TRAINING PROVIDED. Please call Lorraine at the canteen on 6552 2588

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Monday, 25 March 2013 Issue 5 - Term 3 - Week 5

Chatham High Multi Categorical Class I would just like to welcome the students that have joined the new MC class at Chatham High School and their families.

The children have settled in well to their new learning environment and are discovering how exciting high school can be.

We are in the process of organising and establishing a classroom garden where the students can grow their own food and learn how to cook healthy and nutritious meals from the vegetables they will be growing in their own garden.

On Wednesday afternoons the students are participating in a Gym/Swim program where they will be trying to improve fitness levels and swim technique. The students are enjoying being part of the planning process and are keen to take part in all school activities.

We have been very pleased with the very successful transition into high school and look forward to enjoyable times ahead.

Mrs Rhonda Farley, Classroom Teacher

Parents and Carers

It is very important for us to receive back the ‘Permission to Publish’ forms EACH YEAR. These forms were posted home to you with the Parent Calendar early this term.

If you have not already done so, it would be very much appreciated if you would complete it and return to the school ASAP.

We have attached a copy of the ‘Permission to Publish’ form at the back of this newsletter. However, if you require another one, please do not hesitate to ask our Front Office ladies or print out a copy from our website.

Thank you kindly. Jenn Curtis, CLO.

Dux for 2012 Jeremy Miller

Jeremy is very passionate about becoming an engineer and has gained acceptance into Mechanical Engineering at Newcastle University.

He gained one of our local prestigious scholarships from Club Taree for being a top student.

Jeremy will be living on Campus at Edward Hall at Newcastle University.

In the HSC Jeremy excelled at Maths, Chemistry and Physics.

Jeremy was mentored and tutored by ex. Taree High School Head Teacher Science, Peter Baker, who along with Legacy, supported Jeremy and aided in his success.

Jeremy is a fantastic young guy who is conscientious, keen and sure to be a success in the future.

Mrs Helen Anderson, Year Adviser; Jeremy Miller,

DUX 2012; and Mr Sonntag, Stage Deputy

WE’RE NOW ON FACEBOOK. CHECK US OUT

HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CHATHAMHIGHTAREE

IF YOU DO NOT WISH YOUR CHILD TO BE PUBLISHED ON FACEBOOK OR THE WEBSITE,

PLEASE CONTACT JENN CURTIS, CLO BY TEL: 6552 2588 OR

EMAIL: JENNY.CURTIS1@DET.NSW.EDU.AU A form can be downloaded from our website

http://www.chatham-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/our-school/forms or by contacting the school

If we have already received notification that your child is not to be published please disregard, however, please feel free to contact Jenn Curtis if you would like to check or confirm details.

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Monday, 25 March 2013 Issue 5 - Term 3 - Week 5

Agriculture New beginnings

A new year has brought new beginnings in a number of areas. Fifty starter pullets have just taken up residence in the hen house and will soon be in full time egg production. Three new quality steers have been added to the herd for the show season but are yet to be broken in for the purpose. The Ag Assistant, Brad Christensen, and the students of the show team have already begun the process of teaching the animals to lead and behave as representatives of the school.

The team returned from Camden Haven Show with three large trophies and seven ribbons for their efforts in the steer classes with the two remaining animals from last year. Chief Judge and Ex Wingham High Ag Teacher Mr Peter, commended the team on the quality of their animals and their presentation. Our cattle are sourced from Mr Peter Longworth (Kundle Park Limousin), and managed on the school Ag farm as part of the students’ study of the beef enterprise. The extra-curricular activities involving Shows and Beef Week are carried on in the format established by the late Paul Van Weerdenberg who was the previous and very successful Ag teacher at the school.

Vegetable supplies from the garden are still light due to the hot summer days and the sporadic downfalls but with the help of Ag students in Years 7-10, new crops are on the way.

Jacob Fraser,Ryan Murphy,Marcus McLeod-

Hemsworth, Michael Tisdell, Ryce Bland

Rachel Hyde Letitia Ladmore

English Communicates Welcome to the first 2013 edition of English Communicates. The English faculty will be working hard to improve students’ ability to communicate effectively through their studies in English this year.

There have been some changes in personnel in the faculty this year. Mrs Murphy has retired and she will be sorely missed by both the staff and students. She had a philosophical outlook on life and was a calm and settling influence in both the classroom and the English staffroom. We wish her health and happiness in the future.

All students have been provided with information about their courses, units of work and the assessment requirements. This has been published in booklet format for Years 10, 11 and 12. Years 7, 8 and 9 have been issued with outlines of their respective units and a ‘Curriculum Map’ detailing the units covered from Years 7 – 10.

In line with the whole school’s assessment policy, all English assessment tasks will be printed on old gold coloured paper. These assessments can be completed either externally (as a homework task) or internally (as a class task).

Year 7 students will be required to deliver a speech as part of the ‘Looking Back – Moving Forward’ Unit. Years 8 and 9 will complete tasks set by their respective teachers on the unit of work they are currently studying. Year 10 students have decided on a topic for their Major Works and have completed the Listening CAT. Year 11 will complete their first senior school English CAT in the form of a visual representation and a written response and Year 12 will complete an extended responses as their assessment for the Module A unit.

Congratulations to all students who have worked hard to complete or are currently working on tasks required in their English or Drama class! Well done and keep up the good work!

All Years need to continue to spend time on reading. In line with the faculty’s homework policy, we suggest at least 20 minutes per day. Parents can assist by getting behind our efforts to promote wide reading at home.

As always, the English Faculty encourages parents to communicate directly with us about any issues or concerns regarding your student. We welcome your feedback and involvement.

Tracey Beckett, Relieving Head Teacher English

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Monday, 25 March 2013 Issue 5 - Term 3 - Week 5

21st February 2013 The next game developers at Chatham High

A group of students from Year 7 to 12 participated in a game development incursion presented by the Game Training Roadshow. The Roadshow has travelled throughout NSW to bring game development to students in order to help boost numbers in Computing subjects. During the two hour session, the students were provided with a workbook to follow Jeff Ayling, the Game Training presenter, create a 3D world complete with terrain, trees and even rippling water using Unity3D. Unity3D has been used to build games on all gaming platforms. Some include Temple Run 2, Bad Piggies, Skylanders Sky Patrol and Wasteland 2. Once the world was created, Jeff demonstrated how to add game objects such as cars and custom designed characters. Blocks of programming code were added to game objects to allow the user to control and move the object around the 3D world. The students were given a real sample of the complexity of game development and yet they were buzzing with excitement by the end of the session. Many were keen to get home and get creating. As part of being involved in the incursion, the students receive $3,500 worth of game development resources, video tutorials as well as ongoing technical support.

Miss Tolentino, Information Technology Teacher

Creating a 3D world

The Department of Education and Communities has recently announced that all government schools will receive a general use adrenaline autoinjector (an EpiPen) for their first aid kit.

This does not replace the need for parents to continue to provide the school with an adrenaline autoinjector and ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis signed and dated by their doctor when their child has been diagnosed with anaphylaxis. Instead the general use adrenaline autoinjector is intended to be used if:

An undiagnosed student has an anaphylactic reaction at school.

There is a misfire of the adrenaline autoinjector that has been prescribed for a student.

A student requires further adrenaline autoinjector to be administered after his or her own adrenaline autoinjector has been administered.

Please contact the school if you would like further information in relation to this matter.

NSW SCHOOL-BASED VACCINATION PROGRAM 2013 Each year NSW Health offers the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school-based vaccination program.

In 2013 the following vaccines will be offered:

Hepatitis B vaccine for all Year 7 students who have never received a course of hepatitis B vaccine when they were a baby.

Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine for all Year 7 students who have not previously received varicella vaccine or had chickenpox disease.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will be offered to Year 7 male and female students, and to Year 9 male students, as a 3-dose course over a six-month period (students who commence HPV vaccination in Year 7 but do not complete the course may be offered catch-up doses at school into Year 8).

Parent Information Kits were sent home to parents/guardians. To consent to the vaccination of their child, parents/guardians are advised to read all the information provided, complete the Consent Form and return it to their child’s school. Please

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ensure that your child eats breakfast on the day of the school vaccination clinic.

Parents/guardians who wish to withdraw their consent for any reason may do so by writing to the school Principal. The Procedure for Withdrawal of Consent is available on the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation.

To improve vaccination completion, students will be opportunistically offered any missed doses throughout the year where possible.

Please note that for HPV vaccine only, parents/guardians must record their Medicare Number (all 10 digits and the 11th number beside the child’s name) on the Consent Form, as this is required to record the student’s information on the National HPV Vaccination Register and, for female students only, link to the National or State Cervical Screening Program.

A Record of Vaccination will be provided to each student vaccinated at the clinic. Parents/guardians should ensure that this record is kept for future reference and should not assume that their child has been vaccinated if they do not receive this Record of Vaccination.

IMPORTANT POINTS

ensure your child has eaten breakfast the morning of the clinic

ensure your child is wearing clothing that enables the upper arm to be exposed

COMPLETE CONSENT FORMS IN BLUE OR BLACK PEN ONLY

Chatham High School vaccination dates

21st of March, 13th June and 31st of October.

Nathan Paff, Student Support Officer

Tinkerer Wanted We are trying to get our old Kubota mower usable again.

If you know of a good "tinkerer" who may be able to fix it cheaply please let Garry Flemming or Neil Locker know. Both can be contacted at the school on 6552 2588.

Someone who has old ride-on mower engines "hanging around" would be ideal.

Chatham High Host Another Successful Expo Night This term we held our third annual Expo night, which was well attended by many parents, carers and Years 3 to 7 school students.

The purpose of the night was for students and parents around the Taree area to come and explore Chatham High School and see the many benefits for their children in attending Chatham High School. The guests that attended the Expo night were divided into nine different groups and were led on school tours by student peer leaders from Years 8 to 10.

The night started off with the exceptional Luka Lesson, Australian Slam Poet Champion. He had been leading students in poetry workshops throughout the week and he presented a few of his poems, along with some Chatham High students. Year 7 student, Stanley Tan also performed a poem entitled ‘Curiosity’. Some of the guests’ comments about the performance were: “fantastic, passionate and inspirational”.

After the opening entertainment, the guests were taken to an outside dining area named ‘CHAT Cafe’ where they sat down to enjoy some of the dishes that the Year 12 Extension Hospitality class prepared, whilst listening to several students performing musical pieces.

During our agricultural farm showcase, guests got to feed and pat the sheep as well as some cows. A guest parent, Sharon McMahon, said, “the agriculture farms were great and enjoyable for the children”.

Groups had the opportunity to visit a representation of all Chatham High’s faculty areas. “It is very exciting for both me and the children but it has changed a lot from the past, being a lot bigger and there is a lot more equipment” said Teresa Turner about the Science labs.

Principal, Mr Willem Holvast said “there were almost twice as many people who attended then we were expecting”. A thoroughly informative and enjoyable evening was had by all who did attend.

Story by CHACE students Nicole Beattie and Jasmine Lambert and photographs by Toby DeStefano and Kyle McMaster

Jessie Doran, Yr6 student, Chatham Public School

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SRC Report It’s just the start of the year and the SRC has been very busy fundraising for both the school and the community.

Such events included McHappy Day which involved the SRC running a Cake Stall and BBQ that raised $600 for Ronald McDonald House, Bandana Day for Canteen (Kids with Cancer) for which around $700 was raised. For school based activities, we have been selling chocolates to help the students with events such as socials.

The SRC’s attention now turns toward a number of upcoming events. Vampire Shield (blood donation) is a program which the SRC will be involved in that is beginning soon. Shave for a Cure was a couple of weeks ago. A Social and Foundation Week are being planned for Term 2. Foundation Week is a three day event in which the SRC splits into three groups to fundraise for three different charities.

We hope that the SRC can continue to help out the community in as many ways as we can and above all, make 2013 a fun and fantastic year.

Shave for a Cure: Brahdly Minett, Mr Simon Gay, Jon Dahl

PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Parent/Teachers interviews will be held from 4pm to 6pm in the MPC.

Bookings sheets have been posted home to parents/carers.

NAPLAN 2013

NATIONAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAM, Literacy and Numeracy

14 to 16 May, 2013

Years 7 and 9 students. Information will be posted home to families soon.

For more information visit www.nap.edu.au

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Check out School A to Z - practical help for parents on homework, child wellbeing and technology use. www.schoolatoz.com.au

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Dear Parent/Carer If you have not already done so, please complete the ‘Permission to Publish’ form

below and ask your student to return it to the school via roll class or the Office. Many thanks.